Ready, Set, Latch: Breastfeeding Prep For Mamas-To-Be

Hey mamas, it’s Black Breastfeeding Week. Here’s what you need to know to navigate your feeding journey. Breastfeeding is often painted as the most natural thing in the world—but for […] The post Ready, Set, Latch: Breastfeeding Prep For Mamas-To-Be appeared first on Essence.

Ready, Set, Latch: Breastfeeding Prep For Mamas-To-Be

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Hey mamas, it’s Black Breastfeeding Week. Here’s what you need to know to navigate your feeding journey.

Breastfeeding is often painted as the most natural thing in the world—but for many new moms, the journey comes with unexpected challenges, foods can help boost your milk flow, so having meals readily available can make nursing easier. The wellness entrepreneur also suggests having all of the essentials you need to breastfeed on hand, including items like nipple shields, a breast pump, protein, snacks, and coconut water to stay hydrated.

If you don’t have family or friends who can support you with making meals, cleaning, or handling other household chores, consider budgeting for external help. A night doula can also be a gem that provides overnight support so you can sleep in between feeds.

Plan to Connect With Fellow Nursing Mothers

Community support can and should extend beyond your home when you’re nursing. Building a community of moms who also nurse can break up the monotony of your daily routine, give you a chance to have adult conversations, and provide a source of moral support.

“Other moms are looking for community just as much as you are when you’re feeling nervous to go out of the house. So find little safe places like a baby cafe in your area,” says Washington.

Identify locations where you can nurse and connect with other moms once the baby gets here. As Washington mentioned, Baby Café USA, a network of free, drop-in, informal breastfeeding support groups that provide ongoing professional lactation care, is an option. You can also consider joining local Facebook groups or the Peanut App to arrange nursing dates in public spaces with other moms.

Stay the Course and Focus on Your “Why”

It’s easy to throw in the towel on breastfeeding, especially when you’re faced with challenges you didn’t anticipate. However, keep your “why” in mind and garner as much support as you can to help you stay on the nursing course.

“My advice for moms is to not give up,” says Jameka Alexander, a mother of one. “It’s really uncomfortable at first. And it can be a little bit painful. His tongue was like sandpaper on my nipple for the first two weeks and my midwife just kept telling me to stick it out and I’m glad that I did,” she says.

“Those times when I was breastfeeding were the sweetest most peaceful moments with my son, so if breastfeeding is what you wanna do, really just be committed to doing that and then make sure that you have support and a plan.”